Fix the Sixers? Let’s Fix Three Other Teams Too, in the Process
Written by: Joseph McCarrie
Without Ben Simmons this past year in the playoffs, the Sixers really showed just how completely inept they were and how the Elton Brand front office really doesn’t have a clue on building a roster for the playoffs.
Playoff, and champion contenders, don’t fall apart miserably at the seams and get swept in the first round of the playoffs. It was absolutely pathetic and the duo of Harris/Blitzer should absolutely be ashamed of themselves, something all true die-hard Sixers fans felt in the aftermath of losing to one of their most hated rivals.
Luckily, we live in a world where other teams are also perplexed with their roster situations and moves have to be made around the league. It is important to note though that I believe it impossible for another fan base to hate/love their team with more vigor than the Philadelphia faithful.
With that being said, if Elton Brand can get a few other GM’s onboard, there is a four-team trade that changes everyone’s situation for the better.
Here’s the trade.
Philadelphia receives:
- Chris Paul (PG)
- Paul George (SF)
- Robert Covington (SF)
Los Angeles receives:
- Eric Gordon (SG)
- Norvel Pelle (C)
- Josh Richardson (SG)
- Zhaire Smith (SG)
- 2020 1st Round Pick from 76ers (via OKC)
Oklahoma City receives:
- Tobias Harris (PF)
- 2021 1st Round Pick from 76ers
- 2024 2nd Round Pick from Rockets
- 2026 2nd Round Pick from Clippers
Houston receives:
- Al Horford (C)
- Mike Scott (PF)
- 2023 1st Round Pick from 76ers (Lottery protected)
Why It Makes Sense for the 76ers
The 76ers have shown their true need for a traditional point guard this season like none other. Even with a change in coaching, Ben Simmons has been proven not to be the answer at PG. Sure, he can guard 1-5 at an All-Defense NBA level, but that doesn’t mean he’s the solution. His true position in the NBA is at the 4 where he did a ton of damage. He can’t be the primary ballhandler on offense, but as a secondary option, he’s absolutely lethal. Trading for a dying Chris Paul would not only fix this quandary but would make everyone else better on the roster. Giving a partner for Joel Embiid to run a sloppy pick and roll in addition to getting someone who will eat open three-pointers can only make whatever offense the new head coach will run more effectively.
This is an NBA trend that isn’t going anywhere.
Speaking of taking advantage of double teams, acquiring Paul George will only make this team stronger in that regard. George is a player that will take advantage of open shots but also force any opposing team to be careful how quickly they are going to double Joel Embiid, freeing him up to cook in the paint. George, for the first time in his career, wouldn’t be the 1st or even 2nd scoring option on his team which could hopefully restore his glory a bit and maybe will even get people to forget who “Playoff P” is. Lastly, trading for Robert Covington brings back a player that doesn’t need to really shoot the ball (I KNOW I KNOW WE ALREADY HAVE ONE OF THOSE) but can make open shots in addition to shadowing the best player on the opposing team and will be capable of giving teams nightmares before traveling to Philly.
The cost is very high and will mortgage the future on this being successful, but it is very very VERY hard to see a lineup like this failing even if one or two stars end up hurt by the playoffs which seem to be an annual conundrum for the 76ers. All in all, this team HAS to win a championship in the next two years. No shot they can’t.
Why It Makes Sense for the Clippers
The Clippers choked harder than Pierce Brosnan in Mrs. Doubtfire. Checking back every night to see that the Nuggets were staying alive and then for them to BOUNCE the preseason champions out of the playoffs could almost be as embarrassing as getting swept in the 1st round (I said almost don’t worry I know Philadelphia hates Philadelphia more). The experiment failed. They need more rounded shooting in addition to some sort of defense because Montrezl Harrel is good but not good enough to shut down everything down low.
This trade gets the Clippers out from paying Playoff P any more money while also still keeping elite shooting around Kawhi Leonard with Eric Gordon at the 2. Bringing in Norvel Pelle gives him a chance at being a Rudy Gobert-esque type player which seems almost necessary in the West nowadays. Embiid, the blocking titan he is, has been on record saying that if Pelle had the minutes he might very well lead the league in blocks. Good for him, he’s a great story of cutting his teeth in the G-league to even being in the conversation today.
The Clippers also get Josh Richardson who is a tenacious defender next to Pat Beverly and would give them one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA. Throwing in Zharie Smith and a 1st Round Pick gives the Clippers back some of the future they lost in the Paul George trade and makes it worth their while to just say yes.
Why It Makes Sense for the Thunder
The Thunder are the real wild card here. They are the absolute key to all of this. Brand and any of the other GM’s who are interested in this deal have to wine and dine Sam Presti into believing the hype. And it’s not like the Thunder aren’t already interested to begin with. There have been trade rumors surrounding Chris Paul since even before they got bounced from the bubble. If you don’t think Sam Presti knows how to sell high, I urge you to check out both the Paul George and Russell Westbrook trades. The man is an artist. But there is an incentive for him to be in on this deal. Getting rid of Chris Paul shows how they are committed to the tank which they are so primed for with all of their picks.
Acquiring the Tobias Harris contract gives them someone with equal enough salary that the trade goes through and also gives someone who is getting paid long enough that when they need to trade for whatever piece they want in a couple of years they have a guy with the salary to do it. His skills will never get old, but he is overpaid for sure. Another reason to bring him in is that he’s a huge character guy.
Presti values these kinds of players and to have Tobias as a vet who can lead all these players they are primed to draft and is actually a very valuable asset. The rest are picks because when you rebuild you don’t want some picks, you want ALL the picks.
Why It Makes Sense for the Rockets
Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/CluthPoints
The Rockets will also have a new captain at the helm and currently, as it stands, the Rockets backcourt is too full with Harden, Westbrook, and Gordon.
Trading Gordon gets that money off the books and with that, they bring in a true center in Al Horford who is no stranger to the three-ball while also is known for his defensive skills as a center. P.J. Tucker won’t last another year as a center, it just can’t happen if the Rockets still are convinced they can compete for a championship.
Mike Scott is a streaky three-point shooter at best but provides depth and is a good filler for this trade. The Sixers yet again have to part with another 1st Round Pick, but when you go all in, that’s the price.
Overall, these trades make each team better by making lineups that didn’t work this year for anybody better for every team and gives everyone a competitive advantage over the previous season.
Featured Image: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/CluthPoints
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Categorized:Sixers